Ben W Posted March 9, 2009 Posted March 9, 2009 With the past week hitting temperatures in the 60's, I can't help but think of spring and the fishing season starting in early May. With a $50 gift card to Sportsman's Warehouse and a little extra cash, I want to get a new reel and perhaps a new rod. I have a 6' Berkley Lightning rod with a Shakespeare Cirrus spinning reel on it. Everything is fine, I would just like to have "better equipment". I mainly fish senko worms and topwater lures(buzzbaits, frogs, jitterbugs) and plan on using 10# Fireline. If that helps, could anyone help me pick out a nice reel and perhaps a rod? I haven't done much research, but I've looked at a Quantum Array and an Abu Garcia Cardinal 300. Please bring up any reels you would recommend. Also, what is the ball bearing system? What does it do to improve performance? I want a decent rod and reel to start off the season with the reel being under 60 dollars. The rod, i've been thinking of getting a 6' 6" lightning rod, but please give suggestions! Thanks! Quote
SWMIBASSER Posted March 9, 2009 Posted March 9, 2009 With a $60 budget I would look at the Pflueger president....Rock solid reliability. Not the lightest...But won't let you down. For rods, look at Gander rods. They have the best deal going in low budget rods. For baitcasting equipment on that budget I would look for used. A used Daiwa or ABU reel is a pretty safe purchase. Nothing wrong with working on a small budget. Times are tough everywhere. Quote
MitchIsFishin Posted March 9, 2009 Posted March 9, 2009 sanother sitebasser is right, the President is a excellent, durable reel. If you shop, you might find it less than the $59 price. Another alternative is the Abu Garcia Cardinal 500albi. I've seen the guts of a 700lx and the 500 is nearly the same. Reeds sporting goods has 'em $10 off at 59.95, picking one up myself. Quote
Ben W Posted March 10, 2009 Author Posted March 10, 2009 I'll definately look into the President! Would a 6' 6" lightning rod go good with that? I don't know what kind of rod to get, fishing mainly plastics and topwaters if that helps... Quote
fish-fighting-illini Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 6' or 6'6" either would be fine. What about a baitcaster for the same price? If not now then if you watch you can probably find a BPS Extreme reel for that price. You could probably couple an extreme reel with an extreme rod very close to your budget. The Extreme rod might be a slight step up from the Lightning. An Extreme spinning reel / Extrem rod are cheaper yet. Quote
Super User burleytog Posted March 10, 2009 Super User Posted March 10, 2009 For $50 or so, Shimano Sedona FD or Daiwa Exceler. Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted March 10, 2009 Super User Posted March 10, 2009 Based on what you have and the type of fishing you do I think you are on the right track already. I have no less than 12 abus pfluegers and shimanos. In your price range hands down it's the abu, light, smooth, more than adequate drag and dependable ( I have cheap 101 I've been using 3 years and it's great reel) I have a shimano clarus 6'6 6/12 line rated, med ( fishes med light) that I use for your type of fishing. Only $59 lifetime warranty. When you buy that reel, send me a pm and I will tell you how to make that reel smoother. Quote
madbass Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 I'd pick the Shimano Sedona 2500FD. As far as rods go, what choices do you have there? Quote
Ben W Posted March 11, 2009 Author Posted March 11, 2009 Good/Bad news! Sportman's warehouse is closing the new berlin store and having a liquidation sale! It will start soon as the store will be closed by May. The bad news is that I'll have to go about 30 minutes to Gander Mountain for fishing stuff. I will look into the Shimanos you guys said, the president, and abu 101. They have a great variety of rods there, so I'll just have to look around. I love the lightning rods, though Quote
Super User CWB Posted March 11, 2009 Super User Posted March 11, 2009 Check out Daiwa's Regal XiA. Solid, dependable, 10BB, smooth drag. Mine is 3 years old and still works like new. Quote
Super User KYntucky Warmouth Posted March 12, 2009 Super User Posted March 12, 2009 Definitely take a look at the president...it is a bit heavy but the best at that price range. The Quantum Incyte is also a great reel. I have two of the 6'6'' M lightening rods and they are good rods. I fish a 7'MH BPS Extreme and it is a great rod for the price. Quote
FishingPirate Posted March 12, 2009 Posted March 12, 2009 Check out Daiwa's Regal XiA. Solid, dependable, 10BB, smooth drag. Mine is 3 years old and still works like new. X2, Ive had one for about 5-6 years as my first true bass fishing combo and it still works very well. Im not sure if its an xi or what but it is definitely a regal. Quote
fish-fighting-illini Posted March 15, 2009 Posted March 15, 2009 Good/Bad news! Sportman's warehouse is closing the new berlin store and having a liquidation sale! It will start soon as the store will be closed by May. The bad news is that I'll have to go about 30 minutes to Gander Mountain for fishing stuff. I will look into the Shimanos you guys said, the president, and abu 101. They have a great variety of rods there, so I'll just have to look around. I love the lightning rods, though Man that bites; my oldest daughter lives near there so we stay at the Holiday in right by it. I walk to it. I like that store they had a ton of stuff. At any rate if you haven't bought anything someone has a Shimano Citica for sale in the flea market. Here's the link http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1236566124 Quote
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